What is the CUNY/CITY STEM TUITION WAIVER?
To promote credit accumulation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses, and to help STEM students accumulate a sufficient number of credits each year without jeopardizing their future Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility, the City of New York and CUNY have provided funding to offer tuition waivers for students matriculated in associate degree programs who enroll in identified STEM courses during intersession terms.
Who is eligible to receive a CUNY/CITY STEM TUITION WAIVER? (More complete details regarding eligibility are detailed at the bottom of this page.)
Current CSI Undergraduate students matriculated in a degree program meeting the following requirements are eligible for a STEM Tuition Waiver:
- A New York City resident at the time the waiver is applied;
- A matriculated student (continuing or recently readmitted) in good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA at the time of enrollment) in any Associate Degree program (AA, AS, AAS) at CSI. Students enrolled in their first term without an established CSI GPA are not eligible for the waiver;
- Eligible to enroll, meeting all necessary prerequisites, in the identified STEM course offerings;
- Have not previously completed a Bachelors or other advanced degree;
- Funding is limited. Waivers will be provided to eligible students until all of the funding is utilized. Therefore, meeting the eligibility requirements and enrolling in an eligible course/s does not guarantee receipt of a STEM waiver.
Do I need to pass the STEM course/s (Grades A-D) to retain my tuition waiver?
No, you are not required to pass your STEM course/s to keep your waiver. However, students must complete their course/s with one of the following letter grades to retain a waiver: A, B, C, D, F, W, incl. +/- grades. Unofficial Withdrawals (WU), administrative non-attendance grades (WN, WD), and partial-tuition charges from dropping a course prior to the official Withdrawal period do not qualify.
Are Tuition Waivers available for eligible students in all academic terms, including Fall & Spring?
No. These tuition waivers are only available during the Summer and Winter Intersessions, based on the availability of funding.
What Associate Degree programs are available at the College of Staten Island?
CSI Offers three different types of associate degree programs: The Associate in Arts (AA), Associates in Science (AS), and Associates in Applied Science (AAS). CSI offers these degrees for the following programs:
- AAS in Business (Specializations in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, International Business, Management, and Marketing);
- AAS in Computer Technology*
- AAS in Electrical Engineering Technology*
- AS in Engineering Science*
- AA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
- AS in Liberal Arts and Sciences*
- AAS in Nursing
How can I determine if I am enrolled in one of these eligible associate degree programs?
The simplest way is to review your status in your CUNYFirst Self-Service Center and clicking on the ACADEMICS tab. There you will see your PROGRAM, which must be UGRD (Undergraduate) and your PLAN, which must be one of the identified plans above.
Ask your advisor when you meet with them for advisement for the upcoming term. Most eligible CUNY/CITY STEM WAIVER students will be assigned to a professional advisor in CAAS-the Center for Advising & Academic Success, 1A-101, the ASAP program, or may be eligible to meet with an advisor in the CSI St. George Student Services Center. You may also visit a staff member in Enrollment Services, 2A-106, the Registrar Service Center, 2A-107, or the CSI St. George Student Services Center to review your status.
If I received a Tuition Waiver for STEM courses in the past, then am I eligible to receive the waiver again?
Yes. All CSI students that meet the listed eligibility requirements will receive tuition waivers for all Winter & Summer intersession courses they enroll in for as long as they remain eligible. Please refer to FAQ # 2 for Eligibility Requirements.
What courses are identified as STEM?
These are examples of STEM courses offered throughout the academic year, including Summer & Winter sessions. Not all courses are available for all sessions. This list is subject to change:
BIO 150, BIO 160, BIO 170/171, BIO 180/181, CHM 110/111, CHM 141/121, CHM 142/127, CHM 250, CHM 256 (select programs), CSC 126, CSC 347 (select programs), MTH 113, MTH 123, MTH 130, MTH 231, MTH 232, MTH 233, PHY 114, PHY 116, PHY 156, PHY 309. Other courses not listed here but required as pre-requisites, or are hidden pre-requisites for required STEM courses, may be considered.
For a complete list of courses, visit the following webpage and review the sections listed under LIFE & PHYSICAL SCIENCES LABORATORY (STEM COURSES), the SCIENTIFIC WORLD LABORATORY (STEM COURSES), and BROADLY DEFINED STEM: Undergraduate Bulletin/Catalog College Option Courses
How can I identify STEM courses in the Undergraduate College Catalog and CUNYFirst/Schedule of Classes:
All courses include information regarding the requirements they satisfy as part of their course description, which includes the STEM designation, as detailed below:
BIO 170 General Biology I. 3 hours; 3 credits
Fundamental biological principles of cell metabolism, energy transformations, and plant and animal functions including support, digestion, respiration, circulation, excretion, and integration, and selected current topics. For science, Medical Technology, appropriate pre-professional majors, and other interested students in consultation with an advisor. (Science) (RLPR) (STEM)
How will waivers be paid?
Waivers will be applied directly to a student’s CUNYfirst account on a weekly basis throughout the enrollment period and, if necessary, while classes are in session. Please note that students are still responsible for any Non-Tuition Fees related to their bill.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Only current CSI Undergraduate students, continuing & recently readmitted, meeting the following requirements are eligible for a STEM Tuition Waiver when funding is available for specific Winter & Summer intersessions. International, Non-Degree, Visiting, and students who have already completed a Bachelors or other advanced degree do not qualify for STEM Tuition Waivers. They must be a New York City resident at the time the waiver is applied, and a CSI matriculated student in good academic standing in any associate degree program at CSI. Students enrolled in their first term without an established CSI GPA are not initially eligible for the waiver. However, they may become retroactively eligible once their first-term grades are final. Students must be eligible to enroll, meeting all necessary prerequisites, in the identified STEM course offerings. In addition, all tuition waiver recipients must complete their course/s with one of the following letter grades to retain a waiver: A, B, C, D, F, W, incl. +/- grades. Any student that earns a WU, WN, or WD grade will have their Tuition Waiver rescinded and will then be responsible for any and all tuition and fees for their course/s.